Gold prize awarded to SFEE for its social initiative “proSfEEroume” implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Red Cross

Press Release

Athens, 14.09.2017 – The gold prize in the category «National Initiative for Health» was awarded to the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) at the Healthcare Business Awards 2017, organised for a second year in a row by Boussias Communications and Health Daily and rewarding best practices in the broader health care sector.

SFEE and its member companies have joined forces with the Hellenic Red Cross (HRC) in a shared vision to address social inequalities and mitigate the pressing problems faced by vulnerable social groups, through donations as well as education. The initiative is aimed to cover needs for pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, essential goods and school items for children, as well as for other vulnerable social groups, hosted in Social Care Structures and Centres in Greece’s remote and outlying regions. At the same time, social workers and nurses from the HRC offer first aid and volunteer training courses to promote a healthy life style and health awareness and responsibility.

The journey of “proSfEEroume” started from Rhodes (October 2016) and continued with Florina (November 2016), Ioannina (March 2017), Alexandroupolis and Xanthi (May 2017). Benefiting institutions also include the Athens Hospice for the Disabled, the Social Pharmacy of the Pylaia-Hortiatis Municipality, the Zosimadon Home for the Elderly (Ioannina) and the Police Administration of Xanthi. So far, “proSfEEroume” has visited 7 cities, covering 9 structures that host 185 children and 630 patients or vulnerable people (disabled, elderly, chronic sufferers). In this context, over 55,000 packs of products (pharmaceuticals, consumables, essentials), first-aid kits, school supplies, handicraft materials and toys for children have been donated to the structures. Finally, 30 hours of first aid courses have been provided.

The prize was received by the President of SFEE, Mr. Pascal Apostolides, who among other things stated: “In a difficult time, the ‘proSfEEroume’ programme has managed to embrace and provide effective help to children as well as to vulnerable social groups in remote and outlying regions of Greece. Our goal is to reach and support as many fellow citizens in need in as many parts of the country as possible. The journey continues and we look forward to our next stops, Drama, Komotini, Kavala, Kastelorizo, Limnos”.

The President of the HRC, Dr. Antonios Avgerinos, referred to the collaboration with the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE), noting: “We are very happy to join forces with SFEE for such an important humanitarian project. From the very beginning we embraced the vision of the social initiative ‘proSfEEroume’ to offer relief and effective help to those in need. Indeed, in view of the growing social demands and challenges, we need to adjust our priorities and undertake innovative, targeted actions that prove in practice the HRC’s solidarity and the modern, social profile”.